Nuts for COCONUT OIL

My aunt recently emailed me about a new diet she is testing out. I am typically on board with the new diets she tries, but this one was different. It is a fat-based diet called the ketogenic diet. The chart below paints a clear picture of what I am talking about.

Just for some context, the typical American diet is:

• 55% Carbohydrates
• 30% Fat
• 15% Protein

I was shocked and decided that I had to do some more research. Ketogenic diets are extremely popular right now! Recently, Americans are going nuts over the Bulletproof Coffee trend. This also falls in line with the ketogenic diet. The more I scoured the internet, the more I kept finding articles about ketogenic diets and T1 Diabetes. The key in this diet for diabetics is coconut oil--a kitchen product I have never purchased.

I am not going full-swing into the ketogenic diet, but I am implementing the coconut oil. Basically, this diet is low-carb. As a diabetic, I would say I aim for this on a daily basis. If you would like more information on ketogenic diets, read here.

I began by replacing all of my cooking oils with coconut oil. I typically use olive oil for EVERYTHING. If you do not like the coconut taste, don't worry unless you use too much! Please note that coconut oil is solid (like butter). Once you heat it, it will melt into oil. You cannot taste the coconut flavor unless you use too much. A little goes a long way! Another note--be sure to buy virgin coconut oil. Regular coconut oil usually has chemicals added in and it won't work as well as pure/virgin coconut oil.

Secondly, I began eating 2t of coconut oil every morning and have worked to eating 2T each day. It doesn't taste bad, but the texture takes some getting used to. Imagine spooning butter/margarine in your mouth. Needless to say, it feels a little uncomfortable at first.

I have tried many different "quick fixes" for my T1, but incorporating coconut oil into my daily routine has by far been the most dramatic. My blood sugar levels are low and stable throughout the day and I stay full longer. This is important for me because I am a HUGE snacker. Other than being my saving grace with my health, coconut oil has many other benefits. For example, my roommate began swishing some in her mouth to reverse a cavity. See below for a short list of the great benefits:

I plan to keep you all updated on my progress. I am excited to see what my next AIC is when I visit my endocrinologist in March. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. I would also love to from anyone who has adopted the ketogenic diet lifestyle or has incorporated coconut oil into their diet. 

The DiaBlogger 

Drinking with Diabetes for Dummies

Drinking alcohol and Diabetes are two things that typically don't go hand-in-hand. My friends usually ask me to explain what to watch for when I drink or what things I should avoid.

I typically start off by explaining the sugar in alcohol, the function of the liver, etc. But let's get real....an audience doesn't hold on for long once you dive into medical terminology. I recently found this article by Scott Johnson, Author at mySugr, explaining alcohol consumption and Diabetes in a simple way. Check it out here. Save your breath and let Scott spill the facts to your family and friends in this easy-to-read article. 

As always, the decision to stay sober is always the best option. Especially because all diabetics react to liquor consumption differently. Know your body and learn what your limits are. 

The DiaBlogger 

Self-Control

Most people would tell you I am very organized, scheduled, and follow the rules. Typically I am. 

I strongly lack self-control in two areas of my life: eating and shopping. In these areas there are no rules for me. This becomes a problem for both my health and my wallet.

If I am craving something, I eat it. 

If I need want something, I buy it. 

I am currently sitting at Starbucks thinking about how I want to leave and pick up Chipotle before I babysit. No. Maybe yes. I will keep you posted. 

I am planning on posting soon about my health-related new years resolutions, but today I will give you a glimpse into how I am going to combat my bad habits. I think about ways to better my health every day, as I am sure many of you do. I wake up in the morning and think to myself I am not going to eat sugar today, I am going to check my blood sugar at least three times, I will drink plenty of water, etc. AND THEN I WAKE UP AND NONE OF THAT HAPPENS. 

I am motivated by incentives, so I am going to incentivize myself to eat healthy. I mentioned in an earlier post that I want to get back on Katie Couric's Fed Up Challenge. I fell off this band wagon, and I fell off hard. I also have a few big ticket purchases that I need to make. For every 10 days I can go without eating sugar, I will allow myself to purchase one item. 

When I get going on a diet and am truly committed, I find that it is hard for me to give in to one little temptation. I am trying to build back that endurance as holiday season approaches. My mom makes BOMB sugar cookies/cinnamon rolls, and it will take every thing I have to fight eating those at Christmas. I will start accepting prayers now. Thanks. 

Me failing at everything. 

What are some ways you keep yourself from falling into holiday temptations? 

PLEASE LMK. 

The DiaBlogger 

T1 Mice with a CURE

I have been doing some more digging on this supposed breakthrough in T1 research. I did not realize that this mouse in Doug Melton's lab was cured by a combination of two drugs that are already on the market. This is pretty unbelievable! There has not been much posted since the news broke in early October, but people are still amped about it. Read more here.

Scientists have been flushing mice with beta cells and they have been responding. Apparently the mice in Melton's lab have been producing insulin on their own for months--something I haven't been able to do in years. Even if this is not the cure, it is a huge step. It is exciting to know that diabetes is still something that many people care about. Sometimes I feel like it gets lost in the mix with other serious illnesses. Melton is a father to a T1 Diabetic and has dedicated his life to finding a cure for me his son.

"You never know for sure that something like this is going to work until you've tested it numerous ways. We've given these cells three separate challenges with glucose in mice and they've responded appropriately; that was really exciting," said Melton 

As you all know, I usually stand on the negative side of diabetes research. However, this looks more promising than most! I think the trick will be making sure that the autoimmune disease stays turned off in patients. There has been some comments regarding how this could be more difficult to do with humans than with mice. I asked my endocrinologist what her feelings were at my appointment this week. She said that her biggest concern is that the encapsulated cells will burst under the pressure of the autoimmune fighting cells.

Me in Florence, Italy

Regardless, I will cheers to that! 

The DiaBlogger 

It's a sugar-(full)free life for me

A few months ago my Mom told me about the Fed Up movie--have you heard about it? It is basically a documentary that talks about the food industry and how much added sugar Americans consume on a daily basis. Watch the trailer here:

Along with the movie, producers Katie Couric and Laurie David created the Fed Up Challenge. In order to complete the challenge you have to eat on a no-sugar added diet for 10 days. Unfortunately I have a HUGE sweet tooth. This becomes an issue with my T1 very easily. I am trying to get better at saying no to sweets...but if someone is offering dark chocolate covered pretzels, I am taking them.

I read about the challenge and thought I could definitely do it. I should not be eating added sugar any day of my life, so I could at least go 10 days, right? It was more difficult than I thought! I think I am going to try this challenge again...starting tomorrow.

Read about the challenge and the rules here.

This challenged really helped me become better at reading labels. At the grocery store, I typically look at 4 parts of a nutrition label: Carbohydrates, Fiber, Sugar and Sodium. I look at how many grams of each are in the product. However, now I am better at looking at the actual ingredients listed. Katie Couric explains that a food label may show that it is low in sugar, but in the ingredients you can find all of the dangerous sugar chemicals that have been added. At the top of this post is a list of all the names for sugar. Watch out for these + if you see it listed, do NOT buy it.

Products you should stay away from that are not obvious include:

• crackers
• Nutrition bars/granola bars
• bread
• pasta
• sauces/condiments/dressings
• alcohol

Challenge yourself to complete this and WATCH the movie! It has some great information and is truly shocking.

The DiaBlogger

Share your Sh!t

What is it like to live with T1/T2 or to care for someone that is diabetic? It is not fun. I can tell you that! It is funny how easy it is to feel alone with a disease that affects millions of people. 

The FDA is hosting a discussion with the diabetic community to better our understand our needs and where we are lacking in resources. Take this opportunity to share your concerns and struggles with leaders who CAN make a difference in our day-to-day lives. Here is a live survey that you can take and share with friends and family that have been affected by diabetes. 

Click here to find out more about the discussion taking place on November 3rd. 

Discussion coordinators are working to set up a live webcast to the event. So if you cannot make it, follow online! 

The DiaBlogger 

The cure is...now?

How many times have you heard: There will be a cure in 5 years...In the next 20 years nobody will have diabetes anymore...They are so close to finding an answer! 

I have heard this way too many times. After awhile I think I just began to zone it out. At my first endocrinologist appointment after a rough hospital stay (read my diagnosis story) I was shaking and crying as my nurse tried to check my blood sugar. It was too painful to get my finger pricked and I was not afraid to be defiant. Looking back at that image of myself makes me laugh and think "wow, you have no idea what is coming." The nurse tried to console me and started the well-rehearsed soothing lines... It is really okay. There will be a cure for diabetes in the next 10 years. It will be in your lifetime, you are going to be fine.

That was the first thing that made me perk up since being diagnosed. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad after all. Now, after living with diabetes for over 5 years it really just makes me laugh when I hear someone say that. You could say I have a negative outlook, but I think I am just realistic to a fault.

We have seen data on pancreas transplants, the bionic pancreas, different diets, etc. and things look promising, but not all that great. I was surprised this week when I read an article about these scientists at Harvard that are mass-producing new fully functioning beta cells. Check it out here. Beta cells are what produce insulin. Auto-immnune disease attacks these cells, and then we are left with manually injecting insulin into our bodies. Here is my favorite blunt quote from the article:

“A lot of the complications associated with manual insulin monitoring can lead to a lower quality of life.” Jeffrey Millman, a doctor in this research study 


Spot on, Jeffrey.

My biggest fear has always been that I will live for the discovery of how to stop T1 diabetes, but not be here for the day doctors learn to cure people already diagnosed with it. This research is exciting because the scientists were already able to rapidly cure one mouse in the experiment with their new cells. It is also exciting because I am an auto-immune cocktail recipe for disaster.

This is a huge breakthrough for the T1 community and for health research in general. If it is a potential cure, it will be years before we can get our hands on it. However, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

The DiaBlogger